Cost guide · Kitchen
How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost in 2026?
New kitchen cabinets cost about $4,000 to $14,000 installed. 2026 prices per linear foot for stock, semi-custom and custom, plus what refacing and painting cost.
By the KitchenBathEstimates editorial team Published 7 min read
New kitchen cabinets typically cost $4,000 to $14,000 installed, with a national average of about $7,000, according to Fixr's 2026 data. Per linear foot installed, stock cabinets run about $100 to $300, semi-custom $150 to $650 and custom $500 to $1,200. If your cabinet boxes are sound, professional painting ($2,500 to $6,500) or refacing ($3,000 to $13,500 per Fixr, $4,500 to $13,000 per This Old House) can change the look without replacing everything.
Cabinets are the biggest single line item in most kitchen remodels; Fixr estimates them at about 40% of a typical budget. That makes this the decision worth getting right, both for the money and because you'll use those doors and drawers every day for years.
Kitchen Cabinet Cost by Grade
Cabinets come in three broad grades. The price gap between them is wide, and the ranges overlap more than you'd expect.
| Cabinet grade | Installed, per linear foot (Fixr) | Average kitchen, installed (Fixr) | Per linear foot (This Old House) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | $100–$300 | $2,500–$9,000 | $120–$250 |
| Semi-custom | $150–$650 | $3,750–$19,500 | $150–$600 |
| Custom | $500–$1,200 | $12,500–$36,000 | $600–$1,400 |
Stock cabinets are built ahead of time in standard sizes and a limited set of finishes, so they're the cheapest and quickest to get. Semi-custom cabinets start from standard boxes but offer more sizes, door styles, finishes and storage options. Custom cabinets are built to your measurements in nearly any finish, and Fixr notes they take 6 to 12 weeks to build.
You'll sometimes see much lower numbers for stock cabinets. A separate This Old House guide, citing 2024 data from Angi and CabinetSelect, lists stock cabinets at $35 to $81 per linear foot, semi-custom at $90 to $650 and custom at $150 to $1,200. The same guide says professional installation typically costs 50% to 75% of the cabinet price, so always check whether a per-foot price includes installation.
For most kitchens, semi-custom is the sweet spot: enough sizes and finishes to fit the room properly, without custom prices or lead times. It's also the grade the 2025 Cost vs. Value report uses for its midrange major kitchen remodel, which includes 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets.
Cabinet Cost by Kitchen Size
Cabinets are priced by the linear foot, measured along the walls where they'll go. Here are Fixr's 2026 estimates for common kitchen sizes.
| Kitchen size | Linear feet of cabinets | Estimated installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft | 16 | $2,400–$10,400 |
| 10 x 12 ft | 20 | $3,000–$13,500 |
| 12 x 12 ft | 25 | $3,750–$16,250 |
| 12 x 15 ft | 30 | $4,500–$19,500 |
| 15 x 20 ft | 40 | $6,000–$26,500 |
When you compare quotes, ask each supplier how they're counting upper cabinets, lower cabinets and the island, so you're comparing the same thing. An island alone averages about $5,000, according to Fixr.
Materials, Construction and Installation
What the cabinet is made of moves the price as much as the grade. Fixr's 2026 per-linear-foot ranges by material:
- MDF: $50 to $250
- Laminate: $60 to $250
- Wood veneer: $60 to $300
- Plywood: $100 to $500
- Solid wood: $150 to $700
- Acrylic: $300 to $800
- Stainless steel: $450 to $1,200
Fixr notes that MDF is affordable but the most vulnerable to water damage, which matters around the sink and dishwasher. Construction style counts too: frameless cabinets cost 20% to 50% more than framed ones, and inset cabinets are the most expensive style. Our guide to kitchen cabinet materials and construction explains the trade-offs.
Installation. Fixr puts labor at 30% to 50% of the total cabinet cost, or about $50 to $200 per linear foot. This Old House lists cabinet installers at $65 to $110 an hour. Most mid-size kitchens take one to three days to install, according to Fixr, and complex jobs can take up to a week.
Extras to budget for. Removing and hauling away old cabinets costs $350 to $1,000. New cabinets often mean new countertops too, which Fixr says add about $3,000, plus about $1,000 for a backsplash. Our countertop cost guide covers materials and extras.
Painting and Refacing: The Cheaper Alternatives
If your cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works, you may not need new cabinets at all.
| Option | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New hardware only | $50–$500 | Fixr |
| Refinishing (strip, sand, new stain or paint) | $2,000–$4,500 | Fixr |
| Professional painting | $2,500–$6,500 | Fixr |
| Refinishing or painting, 70 sq ft kitchen | $900–$5,625 | This Old House |
| Refacing | $3,000–$13,500, about $8,250 on average | Fixr |
| Refacing, hired out | $4,500–$13,000 | This Old House |
| New stock cabinets, average kitchen | $2,500–$9,000 | Fixr |
Refacing covers the existing cabinet boxes with a new veneer and replaces the doors, drawer fronts and hardware. Fixr prices it at about $275 per linear foot on average, with laminate (thermofoil) at $80 to $125, wood veneer at $100 to $250 and solid wood at $200 to $500 per linear foot. Refaced cabinets typically last 10 to 20 years, and the work takes three to five days in an average kitchen.
Is refacing actually cheaper? This Old House says it often costs 30% to 50% less than new cabinets. But Fixr's refacing average of about $8,250 is higher than its $7,000 average for new cabinets, which includes budget stock lines. In practice, refacing saves the most when the alternative is semi-custom or custom cabinets. If you'd be happy with stock, get prices for both.
Ways to Save on New Cabinets
- Keep the layout. Moving the sink or range adds plumbing and electrical work on top of the cabinet bill, and Fixr lists a simple layout as a key way to save.
- Choose stock where it works. Stock cabinets in standard sizes can handle most runs of a kitchen; save semi-custom or custom pieces for the island or awkward corners.
- Pick materials for the location. Lower-cost materials are fine for upper cabinets, but think twice about MDF under the sink.
- Remove the old cabinets yourself. Fixr says doing your own removal can save up to $1,000, provided you don't damage plumbing or walls in the process.
- Spend on what you use. Good drawer slides and hinges make a bigger daily difference than an upgraded door style.
How to Get an Accurate Local Price
Measure your existing cabinet runs, decide which grade and material you're considering, and choose among replacing, refacing and painting. Then get at least three written quotes, as Fixr recommends, and make sure each one spells out the cabinet line and grade, the door style, installation, removal of the old cabinets and any trim or filler pieces. Our guide to comparing remodeling estimates helps you line up bids fairly.
Check each contractor's license with your state licensing board and ask for a certificate of insurance; we don't verify these for you. If cabinets are part of a bigger project, our kitchen remodel cost guide shows how they fit into the whole budget.
KitchenBathEstimates can introduce a kitchen remodeling contractor who serves your area. It's free for homeowners, your name and contact details go only to a contractor you approve, and there's no obligation.
Get a Local Cabinet Estimate
Tell us about your kitchen and we'll introduce a remodeler who serves your area, free and with no obligation.
Get Free EstimatesFrequently Asked Questions
How much do kitchen cabinets cost per linear foot?
Installed, Fixr puts stock cabinets at $100 to $300 per linear foot, semi-custom at $150 to $650 and custom at $500 to $1,200. This Old House's figures are similar: $120 to $250 for stock, $150 to $600 for semi-custom and $600 to $1,400 for custom.
How much does it cost to install kitchen cabinets?
Fixr estimates installation labor at $50 to $200 per linear foot, or 30% to 50% of the total cabinet cost. Removing and disposing of old cabinets adds $350 to $1,000. Most mid-size kitchens take one to three days to install.
Is it cheaper to reface or replace kitchen cabinets?
Usually, but not always. This Old House says refacing often costs 30% to 50% less than new cabinets, and Fixr puts the average refacing job at about $8,250. Budget stock cabinets can come in close to that, so refacing pays off most when you'd otherwise buy semi-custom or custom.
How much does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets?
Fixr puts professional cabinet painting at $2,500 to $6,500. This Old House estimates $900 to $5,625 to refinish or paint the cabinets in a compact 70-square-foot kitchen. Painting works best on solid cabinets in good condition.
How much do cabinets cost for a 10x10 kitchen?
Fixr estimates about 16 linear feet of cabinets for a 10-by-10-foot kitchen, at $2,400 to $10,400 installed. Where you land in that range depends mainly on the cabinet grade and material you choose.
How long does it take to get custom cabinets?
Fixr says custom cabinets take 6 to 12 weeks to build, plus one to three days to install in most mid-size kitchens. Stock cabinets are usually much faster to get because they're built ahead of time.
Sources
- Fixr – 2026 Kitchen Cabinet Installation Cost
- Fixr – How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost? (2026 Guide)
- Fixr – How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? (2026 Data)
- This Old House – All About Kitchen Cabinets
- This Old House – Cabinet Refacing, Everything You Need to Know
- This Old House – How Much Does a Small Kitchen Remodel Cost?
- Zonda / JLC – Major Kitchen Remodel, Midrange
